Calgary’s returning officer has given the green light to Sonya Sharp’s request for a vote recount in the recent mayoral election. The recount is scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Big Four Roadhouse, where all voting stations’ ballots will be reexamined. Any alterations to the official results will be publicly communicated by the returning officer.
This approval came on Friday evening following Sharp’s formal submission of the recount application earlier that day. In a released statement, Sharp emphasized that the purpose of the request is to enhance trust in the electoral process. She had previously indicated her intention to seek a recount in accordance with the law, although it was uncertain which procedure she would follow under the new regulations introduced by the provincial government.
Sharp made the formal recount request under the Local Authorities Election Act after the city officially posted the election results on Friday. She referenced a recent councillor race in Ward sipiwiyiniwak, Edmonton, where the outcome flipped after a recount due to administrative errors.
The final tally in Calgary’s mayoral election showed Jeromy Farkas securing 91,071 votes, narrowly defeating Sharp with 90,490 votes, a difference of 581 ballots. Sharp expressed hope that regardless of the recount’s outcome, it would prompt necessary updates to the Local Authorities Election Act to avoid confusion in future recounts.
Although Farkas and Sharp are separated by less than 0.5% of the total votes, which qualifies for a recount under election rules, Elections Calgary clarified that the recount may not necessarily involve all voting stations. The returning officer, Kate Martin, highlighted that recount provisions pertain to individual voting stations, while Alberta Municipal Affairs clarified that the recount thresholds are based on the total ballots cast, with returning officers responsible for interpreting and applying the rules.
Calgary-based pollster Janet Brown deemed Sharp’s request for a recount as reasonable, emphasizing the importance of ensuring accuracy in close elections.